MAVS WERE CLOSE TO LANDING 4-TIME DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR TO PROTECT LUKA ON DEFENSE! MAVS NEWS
Now, here’s a rumor that really makes you think. What if the Dallas Mavericks had pulled off a blockbuster trade to land four-time defensive player of the year Rudy Gobear to pair with Luca Donuch? According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on the Hoop Collective podcast, this wasn’t just a wild idea. It was seriously considered by the Maverick’s front office. Back when it was clear Rudy Gober’s time in Utah was coming to an end, Dallas was reportedly at the top of his list of preferred destinations. Let’s break that down. The front office, Mark Cuban, and GM Nico Harrison saw exactly what most fans and analysts did. Luca is a generational offensive talent, but he’s never been known for elite defense. Go, meanwhile, is the ultimate defensive anchor. Add in his ability as a rim running lob threat and suddenly you’ve got one of the most balanced inside out duos in the league. We’re talking elite pick and roll possibilities with Luca at the helm and go cleaning up everything at the rim offensively and defensively. It could have been a gamecher but as we all know that trade never materialized. Instead goar was sent to Minnesota in a massive package. Patrick Beverly, Malik Beasley, Jared Vanderbilt, Walker Kesler. Four first round picks, a King’s Ransom. Honestly, when you look at what the Timberwolves gave up, it’s clear why the Mavs didn’t bite. And in hindsight, that might have been the right call. Fast forward to today, and the Mavericks have gone a different route, but one that might be even better long term. They drafted Derek Lively 2, who’s already shown elite shot blocking instincts and defensive potential. Then they traded for Daniel Gaffford, another physical big who fits perfectly in the pick and roll with Luca. Both players are younger, cheaper, and fit the timeline of a team built around Donic. Now imagine this. Instead of committing huge money and assets to Gobear, Dallas has developed a duo of athletic rim protectors in Lively and Gaffford. Together, they may not have Gobear’s resume yet, but they bring similar strengths and give the Mavericks flexibility moving forward. So, while the Gobear trade would have been flashy, maybe even dominant in the short term, the path the Mavericks took could prove to be smarter in the long run. Luca has more help than ever, and the front court is deeper, more athletic, and ready to defend at a high level. This kind of whatif scenario is fun to think about, but it also shows how far this team has come. The Mavericks didn’t need a blockbuster. They built their own version of dominance piece by piece. Now, I want to hear from you. Do you think Gobear would have been a perfect fit with Luca or do you prefer the direction Dallas took with Lively and Gaffford? Drop your thoughts in the comments. We’ll be reading everyone. And if you’re loving the Mavs content, do us a favor. Hit that like button and subscribe to Mavs Insider for more deep dives, news, and analysis all season long. Until next time, go Mavs.
Did the Mavericks nearly land 4x Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to pair with Luka Dončić? According to a recent report, Dallas was seriously interested—and the deal could have changed everything. In this video, we dive into the rumored trade talks, what Gobert would have brought to the Mavs, and why the front office ultimately went in another direction.
Was skipping the trade a mistake… or a masterclass in long-term planning?
Let us know what YOU think in the comments!
👍 Like this video if you’re proud of the direction the Mavericks are heading.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to Mavs Insider for all your up-to-date Mavericks news and analysis!
📢 Welcome to Mavs Insider – Your #1 Source for Dallas Mavericks News! 🏀💙
Stay updated with the latest Dallas Mavericks news, game highlights, trade rumors, and in-depth analysis of Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and the rising stars of the Mavs. Don’t miss a single update – subscribe now and turn on notifications! 🔔
📢 FAIR USE DISCLAIMER 📢
This channel is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Mavs Insider is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Dallas Mavericks, the NBA, or any other official entity. All opinions expressed in our videos are our own.
⚠ Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright law that might otherwise be infringing.
All video clips, images, and audio used in this content are transformed with added commentary, analysis, and educational value in compliance with fair use. If you believe your copyrighted material has been improperly used, please contact us for resolution before submitting a copyright claim.
